My new CZ 455 Varmint

Nupes

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Ontario, Canada
I had ordered a CZ 455 standard and there was a mix up from the original dealer that shipped to the store and when we opened the package, there was a 455 Varmint thumbhole laminate stocked 22 LR instead. I fell in love with it the moment I picked it up although with a .862" x 20" long barrel it had quite some heft, heft that I liked BTW.

Now I have not seen these around N.A. and only sporadically on U.K. , european and aussie web sites, I was informed that it was the only one the dealer had in stock and here is the clincher, because of the mix up, they sold it to me at the standard 455 price ($519 CAD). A serendipidous moment indeed. It came home with me like a newly aquired puppy.

I put on a 5x15x40 bushnell Legend mil dot scope with the only rings I had at the moment, some cheap tasco hi rise rings and found them to be about 1/4" higher than needed to clear the bolt. Some new good rings are on order but this was good enough to get it out to the range to shoot.

18 F with a 5-15 mph cross winds is not favourable shooting conditions but I bagged the gun front and back and shot about 30 rnds off at 50 yards. I used some fed bulk 22 LR since the conditions didn't warrant anything better at the moment. Most of the groups were about 1" grouping with some strays left and right because of the gusts. The factory proof test targets that came with the gun were 1/2" at 50 m but I'm not sure how they do those tests. Either way I love the way the thumbhole stock fits my rather big hands. Puts the trigger right on the pad of my finger. This is hard to do without having excess finger hanging off the gun for most firearms I shoot.

I can't wait for a better day where my teeth arn't chattering and the winds not so bad. I pulled the barrel and it was a really snug slip fit in the breech with no play whatsoever on it with the set screws not tightened. The bolt was like a mirror and smooth as butter but on occaision I had to wiggle it to get started forward when it was pulled back all the way. I think it might be getting a little caught up in the tiny ejector/bumper. The best thing is the fact that I will be getting a .17 HMR barrel for it when I see one that fits the bill. Here are some pics...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=29oh64o&s=7

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2crwyfl&s=7
 
I had my 452 Varmint Thumbhole out today for the first time.Three fifty yard,five shot groups measured .340",.370" and .400" using SK Standard Plus loads.The trigger was horrible,with plenty of creep,and it was too heavy this afternoon,so I installed the Yo Dave trigger kit tonight.Most of the creep is gone,and the trigger now breaks at 36 ounces.
 
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Thanks for the comparison. Theres been a lot of debate about the new 455's vs the 452's so now I have something to measure against when the weather gets better. I must admit there is no measurable creep on my trigger and it is very smooth and crisp. It is set pretty heavy from the factory though, probably 5-6 lbs from the feel of it.
 
My 452 Thumbhole Varmint

cz.jpg
 
BTW stubblejumper, what rings are those you are using ? Mine are cheap set of high rise air rifle/22 rings and they are about a 1/4" too high and I need to change them out for something a touch lower.
 
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